Disney

We took our family vacation this past week to Disney World in Orlando Florida. This has got to be my favorite vacation ever. I am so worn out from all the walking, but it was so worth it- my kids, my husband, and myself loved it. They really know how to treat you and make you say "Wow!" with everything- rides, performances, people, general attitude, food, firework displays, scenery, everything. We will definitely be going back some day.
Victoria's favorite rides included the Teacups (pictured above), the Goofy Roller coaster, the It's A Small World ride, Dumbo, the Magic Capet ride, and the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. But definitely not the Haunted House ride. She told us, " I will never go on that ride again. We brought back a ghost!" Whereas Bella, different story- she thought it was scary, but funny- go figure.

Bella's favorite rides also included Dumbo and the It's A Small World ride. She also liked the classic Merry Go Round (pictured below).

Both girls were fascinated by all the princess stuff at the park. The princess characters were scattered throughout the park (mostly with long waits). Little girls dressed up like their favorite princess and wore their costumes. Bella really liked Cinderella best and Victoria like Jasmine best. (I bought them their Halloween costumes today while they were at school- can you guess what I got them?) In the picture below we posed in front of Cinderella's stagecoach. It was decorated up in fall colors and pumpkins, as was the rest of the park- my favorite time of the year.

We really tuckered the girls out. Even bringing two strollers that were used 80 percent of the time, with the girls taking their naps in them, they still could bearly keep their eyes open at sunset. Here I am (below) holding my two sleepy girls as they lick the last of their lollipops on the bus ride back to our hotel. FYI- Lollipops plus sleepy kids do not mix- my shirt was sticky for the rest of the night.

Although we went to all the Disney parks each with their own stunning importance. Magic Kingdom had classic Disney character parades, more rides for kids, and an amazing castle firework display. Animal World had real animals, a spectacular safari ride, and a cool, very different parade where individual people became exotic animals in neon colors. MGM Studios had the best parade that really got you into the action, plus you got to remember some of those old movies that you forgot that makes you smile. Epcot was our most favorite park. It had all different countries represented with their food and drink (he he- think German beer) and it catered more to the adult level. (In other words, I think Jer and I liked it more then the kids, but they still got a lot out of it.)

Disney really takes everything into account. The kids playground at MGM Studios is called Honey I Shrunk the Kids. Everything is from that perspective. There was a giant spiderweb that wound and twisted high in the sky, tons of objects that made great slides, mounds of dirt to rumble through, musical steps made out of twigs, giant ants to ride, and caverns to crawl into (where Victoria claimed was "her home"- taking after Daddy and his desire to be enclosed in small spaces.)

Bella loved running into all the characters throughout the park. She hugged and got her picture taken with at least ten of them- a few include Alice (In Wonderland), Daisy and Donald, Goofy, some monkey from Lion King, and Jasmin and Aladdin. Here's Bella with Mulan in Japan in Epcot.

Victoria was a little more shy about wanting to go meet the characters. It wasn't until Day 3 that she saw that Bella was having a fun time and wanted to go give a character a hug. She got to meet two characters- Donald and Daisy Duck.

Bella was also not the shy one when in came to viewing parades. She stood as close as she could on the line to the street (rules enforced) and waved at each and every passerby- she got many high fives, waves, and pats on the head. During the MGM Studio parade, one of the parade ladies, grabbed Bella and taught her a new dance on the street- she became part of the parade. They gave her a bouncy blue ball for participating. Victoria was at home with her own form of dancing when we went to the German restaurant. They had a polka band on stage with the kids dancing on the floor. She truly loves to dance to her own beat. The German restaurant also had the great food, however, my favorite place to eat was the Liberty Tree at Magical Kingdom. Their clam chowder, strawberry-vinaigrette salad, roast with gravy, and Mac and Cheese is by far the best.

Jer and I took turns trading off to ride roller coasters and popular rides. While I took the kids to the monkey house, Jer rode the Mount Everest roller coaster. Later we switched- that was my favorite ride. You can see it in the background of the picture below- that is not a real mountain- that is a GIANT roller coaster. On it you fly down hills, travel backwards, and enter a dark cave with a groesome yeti- scary, FUN, and scenic! We also swapped out on the Rock and Roll roller coaster (where Aerosmith sings in the background as you travel through blackness except for the neon stage lights on the fastest limousine/roller coaster I've ever ridden) and the ride Soarin- a flight simulated ride where you feel as if you're the airplane and are really flying through the world, including pine and apple fields that really smell.

All in all, it was the best trip we've ever taken. We walked the parks for 5 days- so much fun! I hope I burned off all the calories I consumed. At night we would go to a firework display, usually at Epcot. At the Magical Kingdom, they do one where the fireworks eclipse the giant castle after the nighttime parade. Tinkerbell flies from the top of the castle and starts the firework show. Spectacular! It was truly a place where dreams come true- yeah, cheesy, I know:)